Dispensing mechanism



April 15, 1952 R. G. BIRR 2,592,786

DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1947 Y 4 Sheets-Sheet l N n 5 w April 15, 1952 R, G, BlRR 2,592,786

DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 g w Q w Q Q K April 15, 1952 R. G. BIRR DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1947 R. G. BIRR DISPENSING MECHANISM April 15, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 17, 1947 VIT/I4 vll vhf..

Patented pr. 15, 1.952

UNITED STATES .PAT ENT oFFlcE f' TDISPENSING MECHANISM .Rudolph G. Birr, Lombard, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments; to American Linen Supply "(10., "Carson City, Nev.`,"a corporation of Nevada App1icati0n-January1v, 1947, serialNo. 722,590

12 Claims: (Cl. 242-555) This invention relates to :improvements in dis- .pensing apparatus,A and one of itsphases is .par-

ticularly directed to the vproper dispensing of sheet material from asupply-roll. Another` phase is directed to improvements in stop mecha- .nisms, vand time-stop mechanisms, applicable to ,paper dispensing devices of the tear-off type, in

which the paper is dispensed by pull on .the paper, and in which yafter tear off no Ypaper is made visible or accessible until the end of `a time period, atthe end of which .period a -pcrtion of the paper is automatically moved to visible and accessible 4position lsoxit -may be pulled to obtain a full length allowed, before the timestop is again set.

Problems relating to the art of constructing paper dispensing mechanisms have always been to obtain a compact and relatively cheap .mechanism, operable by a pull on the paper without tearing the paper, and therefore operable by minimum application of power. .Every change of one structure generally requires a corresponding change vin another. The dispensing of paper from a supply-roll involves special problems which are .again related to `the character, placement, strength and arrangement of springs, and methods of assembly of thestop mechanism or of the time-stop mechanism.

A discussion of problems in this art, maybe 'helpful to an understanding of this' invention.

One of the problems in dispensing sheet material from a supply roll by means of feedrolls' which control and are controlled by a stop mechanism, has been to avoid jamming and/or uneven feeding of the material.` In order to reduce' frictional drag of the mechanism the supply-roll has been mounted cn a spindlefor free rotation, but when so mounted `over-spinning often occurs when, during feeding the feed rolls are suddenly stopped as a result ofv engagement of the stopv mechanism to limit the `length oramount of the material whichcan be withdrawn at a-single dispensing operation. To properly feed a-sheet Vof material which has `opposite lparallel sides, 'it should always be fed so that aline perpendicular to those sides is parallel with the axes of vthe feed rolls. In prior'devi'ces, .whensurplus material accumulates at a pointbetween the supply roll and the meeting .line of the feeding rolls, jambing or feeding askew often occurs.

.I-Ieretofore when this spinning occurred a surplus amount of the material left the supplyroll,

vandvoften became jambed .by being so disposed as to enter between the feed rolls. Whenthis .happened there yfwere `formed between .the .rolls a plurality ofv layers of the material instead .of

the rsingle layer. `As .a result of this multiple layereondition, the material became so .jambed as to make itnecessary for aservceman to open the cabinet, remove the jambed .material from the feed rolls, and then re-thread .the material ybetweenthe feed rolls. .Jambing wastes the material, `and increases the cost of servicing, .tosay `not-hing of rendering the A.device v'inoperative vfree rotation of the .supply v`-roll by providing means for supporting Ythe .supply-roll in such manner and in such -relation .to `the feed rolls 4that over-spinning is reduced, yet whenlsuppl-yroll spinning does occur, .the surplus reeled-cff material cannot enter between the feed rolls.

Another problem in--this art relates `to reduction of the -amount of force necessary to ybe applied by a :pull on the paper, to rotate thefeed .rolls and to setthe stop mechanism, and to-condition certain power Usupplyingsprings for subsequent action to release -thestop mechanism and-move it and a timer mechanism to release position. In someecases ra spring is used to obtain automatic feed-out of `the papera-following release ofthe-stop. The real-problem -then .-is in all cases .to reduce friction `to -a minimum and to so construct and arrange -those parts-'which are controlled bysprings that "the'sweakest possible -spring or springs may be used.

In dispensing devices of the --class herein, springs are used for releasingthe -stop-mecha -nisms and for moving `thefstops (and also agtimer mechanism therefor when used) -to yfullyretracted or release position. The stop `mechanism is controlled by and controls -ar-dispensinrg roll or rolls. One of the dispensing rollsis generally calledl the measuring roll andV against this measuring roll a rpresser-roll acts,.andthe rolls are-driven by the paper when pulled. Therefore, in addition to overcoming the action of the stopretracting spring duringdispensing, .there is considerable friction inthe mechanismitselffalso to .be overcome.

The power for operating thestop mechanism to. set-the stop vor toset .the time-stopmechanism is applied by the user, through .paper to `the measuring roll, .by a `.pull .on the paper. The amount ofpower which can `be vtlnlsapplied .is

3 quite limited by the relatively cheap and fragile quality of the paper and also by the fact that the paper is often pulled by a single wet hand or by two wet hands.

It has always heretofore been a problem to construct and arrange the parts of the mechanism and to select springs of proper power so as to avoid breakage of the pulled paper and yet use a spring having power adequate to properly retract the stop, as well-as a timer therefor when used.

The problem has been rendered more diiiicult in cabinets of the type herein in which a short length of paper is automatically moved by additional spring means to a position accessible to the user, on release of the stop mechanism, or of a time-stop mechanism. Since the power of this operation is also supplied by a spring, there are thus two springs used in this automatic feed-out type of cabinet. It is, therefore, against the action of various frictions and of both springs that the pulled paper must act.

Various arrangements oi the parts and positions and qualities of springs have been used in an effort to obtain proper power action without tearing of the paper, during a dispensing operation. The present invention so arranges the stop surfaces of the stops in relation to the timer mechanism and the means for operating it by the stop, as to align the elements so that power can be applied most advantageously and effectively for obtaining release of the stop mechanism.

Another problem has been to obtain a smooth acting timer slide, and to avoid the use of that slide as one of the stops of a stop mechanism. Heretofore it has been the practice to use a part of a reciprocal timer slide as a stop, and such a practice is shown in Grunwald Patent No. 2,298,882. It has also been the prior practice to use a leverlike stop which in turn operated a sliding element of a timer. Such a scheme is shown in Birr Patent No. 2,193,759. Both ci these schemes have objections. In the rst mentioned scheme the slide and its g-uides are submitted to violent impacts when one stop engages the slide. This action is detrimental to the timer slide. On the other hand the timer shown in Birr requires the timer slide to be passed through a slot in a plate which supports the mechanism and requires the slide to extend in a direction which is parallel with the rotative axis of the measuring roll. This scheme is objectionable because of the tendency of the slide to tip and bind in the slot. This binding tendency was overcome in the Grunwald patent, but in that patent the slide was used as a stop, with the objection previously noted.

The present construction provides a timer mechanism in which the timer slide is not submitted to stop impacts, and in which the slide does not pass through a slot in one of two plates, on which all of the mechanism is supported.

Objects of the invention therefore are: To prevent jamming of the paper; to provide a new means for supporting and centering the supply roll against axial motion; to provide means to reduce over-spin of the supply roll; to provide a mechanism by which surplus paper resulting from spinning of the supply roll is formed into a loop so it can not be jammed into the feed rolls; to provide a form of stop mechanism in which stop release is facilitated, to the end that the power spring for obtaining stop release can be of minimum size, whereby the less strain is put on the paper during pulling for dispensing and there is less likelihood of breaking of the paper due to excessive strain required for pulling out; to provide a new structure and arrangement of the stops, and of the stopping surfaces of the stops, and of the pivotal relation of the stops to one another; to provide an improved mechanism for automatically feeding the paper after stop release, and generally to provide a compact arrangement of all the parts, yet providing a cabinet in which a supply roll of maximum capacity can be received. i

Features, objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the description of the drawings, and in said drawings:

Figure l is an elevation of the inner unit, showing the time-stop mechanism with the stop engaged, as during the timing period, and with the cover of the cabinet in section;

Figure 2 is an elevation from the opposite side of the inner unit, showing the automatic feed-out device positioned in correspondence to the position of the parts in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the inner -unit with the cover in section;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken approximately on a line I- of Figure 3, illustrating the anti-jamming loop-forming structure and action;

Figure 5 is a top plan, with the cover in section;

Figure 6 is a detail section on line 6 6 of Figure l, showing how the second or hook-stop is pivotally mounted, and also showing how the centering disks of the supply-roll supporting roller are rotatably mounted on the trunnions of said roller;

Figure 7 is a detail section on line 1 1 of Figure l, showing how the timer and stop operating links are arranged and pivoted.

Figure 8 is a detail section on line 8-8 of Figure l, showing the construction of the upper guide of the timer slide;

Figure 9 is a detail section on line 5 9 of Figure l, showing how the pawl for preventing reverse motion of the measuring roll is mounted;

and

Figure 10 is a detail section on line Ill-IIJ of Figure 2, showing how the link for the automatic feed-out spring is attached to the finger-operable feed-out disk.

The cabinet comprises an inner wall section and outer cover section. The inner section comprises a rear wall I having an arcuate forwardly projecting upper marginal ilange 2 having a centrally located depending keeper. Attached to this rear element l are two upright plates 3, connected by out-turned vertical flanges 4 with the back I, as by Welding. Each plate 3 has an outturned bottom ilange 5. An each plate also has a top out-turned flange B from the rear of which extends an upturned flange 'I which is secured to the rear plate I, as by welding. On these plates 3 is mounted the entire dispensing mechanism.

The cover Il is pivoted at I2 to upstanding marginal flanges 8 bent from the ilanges 5. The cover can swing to a position below the inner section. The bottom of the cabinet is formed by plate I5 which is attached to the bottoms of anges 5, as by welding. This plate I5 has at its forward margin an upstanding ilange I5, provided with fingers I'I which lie in grooves I8 of a measuring roll I9, which roll has trunnions 20 and 2l suitably held in bearings provided in the plates 3.

In-'Figure 4 there is illustratedian:important phase of this invention relating tofmearis-f'or preventing jamming of the paper by the Vlfe'ed rolls Vfollowing overspinriing of the supply-roll due to the Vsudden engagement of al'stop mechanism, during dispensing.

Arranged above and yieldably urged against, the measuring roll I9 is a presser'roll 2v5-having trunnions 2B journalled in bearingopenin'gs Y21 in the plates 3. Swingable about-trunnions 2li-lis an apron having the form l'of aplate '28 *the function of which is to separate -the paper 'I3lfroirraknife I4 at the bottom of the cover? After ithe paper has been torn olf by the knife, the'apron presses the paper against the forward surface of"the measuring roll. This -apr'on -28 is rs'wingingly hung by ears 29through which the trunnions 26 pass. Suitable springs 39 arrangedon the outside of the plates 3, are suitablyiconhectedwith the trunnions 2E -t'o force the Vwpresser 'roll '25 against the measuring roll `I9.

Arranged rearwardly ofthe presser roll V and above and partly over the `measil-rin'g rollis a roller 3| journalled by means of trunnions 32 in the plates 3. The position of this roller -inrelation to the feeding rolls is important. -In `this instance the roller v3| is of slightly less diameter than the presser roll 25. However its uppermost surface is at a slightlyhigher level than that of the upper surface of the presser roll 25, as indicated by the line B-B.

The supply-roll is indicated at and isheld on a spindle '36 having trunnions 31 which are guided in slots 9 of the plates 3. These'elements constitute means so mounting the `iSupply-roll that it can rotate on andr move toward the roller 3| as supply-roll diameter decreases. paper is being fed or is'being pulled out by the user, that portion '40 of the paper which 'lies between the roller 3| and 'thefmeeting-line of the feed rolls I9 and 25 forms afstraightline. However when the stop mechanism (later to :be described) engages, the supply-roll Ahaving been given a momentum due `to dispensing action, generally continues to spin or to rotate, and-surplus paper accumulates. vBy the -use of this 'invention this surplus paper isA made tofformaloop 4I, the lower portion of Vwhich lies partly against the presser `roll and over said vroll, and -another portion of which vlies underfand -against-the :supply-roll. -This floop vis directed vforwardly and upwardly 4over the :presser roll -2-5. `As shown by -dot andr dash lines vat V42A this loop may be fo'f varying lengths but-in no fcase :is there any-movement of the surplus paper downwardly toward -the Vmeeting line of thefeed rolls.

. Disks 33,"one rotatableon each of the trunnions 32 are interposed between fthe ends of the Yroller 3i and the plates 3. rI-he inner surfaces 34 of these disks are conical and these conical surfaces converge inwardly and are opposed to one another, and-together Vact as automatic v`rotatable ymeans adapted to locate orcenter the supply roll in relation to the feed rolls and to maintain that centering during dispensing, that is prevent axial motion of vthe supply-roll after centering. By having the elements 33 capable of rotating with the roller 3| or 'independently thereof slippage can occur either between the yroller 3| and the supply-roll or between the' disks 33 and the supply roll.

Since the diameter ofthe roller 3| is very substantially less than that of a full lvsupply-roll, its rate of rotation as `friction'ally driven bythe supply-rollwill be much' greater'thanjthat oi' the rotative 'rate of the"sup`plyroil;"whereby some When the `frietional#resistance to'supply-#roll 4rotation 21's obtained yiduring dispensing." 'resistance reduces overspinning land is fa-waluableffeature 'per se aswell -asi'nffcombination with a loop forming function of the Iroller `3 I- as related to -the feeding roll.

'The expression free loop as used .herein means, the formation of surplus-paper inany vmanner which will Vprevent' 'its accidentalventry between the :feed rolls. Inso'far as :Iuam aware Vthis function of preventing 'jamminghas'never before been successfully? accomplished. Itis to be vnoted vthat 4vover-rotation 'of the supply rroll in feed'out direction forms a loop "which always rises over the presser -roll fand vis .in fact :guided upwardly by said roll, since this 'roll remains 'stationary from the 4vmoment that the stop en'- fgaiges land the material is pinched and'held at'the 'meeting lineoftherolls. That part of lfthe surplus material nearest the presser 'rollvr'nay Ibesaid to climb over `that roll, being urged to do so" by Athe feeding action of the over-lying, overspinning feed roll.

It is to be noted that, the larger vthe supply roll the greater is Ithe spin which `occurs when the stop-mechanism suddenly engages. It is desirable to use as large asupply roll of material as possible so that the cabinet will Vnot'have to be serviced so frequently, and the present cabinet provides'fo'r the use ofa supply-rollfoflmaximum diameter. Of course, when this large roll is first introduced into 'the cabinet, it :will be given more powerful land prolonged momentum, when the stop engages, so that a 'larger loop-may be formed' vwhile the diameter of `the :supply roll remains large. However, as :the diameter of `'the supply roll decreases the formed'loop may be smaller. It is also possible to'take up the loop `already formed if, followingan unusually violent operation ofthe stop-mechanism, some subsequent operations are performed very vlmuch less violently.

The stop lmechanism now to be described is representative of one of many stop mechanisms which can be used in relation to "the loop-form- .ing phase of'this invention.4 Nevertheless this stop -mechanism'is in itself unique and presents -structural advantages which .it is believed are heretofore unknown to this art.

VThe time-stop mechanism :has been show-n in the position which best illustrates that part of this invention concerned with `the alignment of the Various elements including stopping surfaces on a mid-line A-A 'extending in direction `of reeiprocation of the timer slide. This alignment and arrangement of theparts facilitates stop release as -well as reduces to a minimum those frictional and spring resistances which must be overcome by a pull on the paper, during vdis-- pensmg. Y

Fixed tothe trunnion 20 of thet measuring roll I9, and spaced outwardly from plate 3 is .a 'first stop 43,` having an arcuate Vstopping `surface v44 engageablewith a corresponding .surface45 which is on .a hook-like Aextension 46 of a second lever stop 47, pivoted 'as at 48 to -the plate -3.` This screw 48 passes through an outwardlyfpunched out spacer portion of the plate 3, seeFigure 6. By this means the hook 4B -is brought into the plane 'of rotation ofthe stop surface .44. .is surface 44 has its center of vcurvature in the axis ofthepivot 48, and the 'stop surface 45.has its center of curvature in substantially the same axis.

'The second stop 41 is provided lwith an arcuate slot Y ha-ving its -f'ce'nter of "cur'vature -infthe-axis .7 of pivot 48, and through this slot loosely extends the trunnion 32 of the roller 3i. A spring`49 is attached, as shown to the short arm of the lever- `like second stop and acts to move the stop in counter-clockwise direction to release it.

The stop surface 45 of the second stop is brought into the path of the corresponding surface of the first stop by means of a link B which has therein a keyhole slot 5|. Through this slot passes a headed pin 52 which is threaded into the rst stop 43 and the head of this pin is of greater diameter than the width of the slot but is of less diameter than the upper circular portion 53 of the slot whereby assembly is simplified. The link is pivoted to the second stop by a pivot 54 which also forms the pivot for a short link 55, in turn pivoted on a projection 56 of a slide plate 51 having a guide opening 58. The surface of the slide 51 is in at engagement with the outer surface of plate 3, but, due to the cutouts in the plate, the area of its frictional engagement with the plate 3 is not great. A guide 59 in the form of a bracket is arranged in the guide opening 58 and is suitably secured by fastening devices 6B to plate 3. This guide has a shelf 5l which carries a vacuum cup structure including a cup 52 that lies above the shelf and a tubular element 63 which passes through and is secured to the shelf, and rotatively-adjustable means 64 below the shelf for regulating the entry of air through the tube to annul the vacuum in a manner well known to this art. The slide 51 is provided with a horizontal projection 65 to Which is attached a second cup 66 cooperative with the first cup for vacuum attachment when the slide 51 is moved downwardly by means of its link connection with the second stop, as this stop 41 is moved downwardly by means of the link 5B and the pin previously described. The slide is also guided by a pin 61 passing through a slot 68 of the slide, see also Fig. 8.

The bottom surface of the guide opening 58 of the slide 51 is adapted to engage the bottom surface of the guide bracket 59 to limit upward movement of the slide and the second stop, as urged by the spring 49. The degree of upward motion of the slide is such as to assure that the bottom of the hook 45 will rise out of the rotative path of the first stop 41. Other means may be provided for limiting this movement of the stop and slide.

It will be noted that the cups, and the guides for the slide and the pivots of 54. 56 and stoppingr surfaces 44 and 45 are so related as to be substantially aligned on mid line A-A when the stop surfaces are engaged. This line extends in direction of reciprocation of the slide, and therefore release of the stop surfaces is facilitated and the application of power by a relatively weak spring to retract the slide is rendered more effective. It is further noted that the stopping surface 44 faces forwardly or outwardly, and that the long arm of the second stop which has the hook, lies under the bottom of the slide 51 and over the first stop; a compact arrangement.

When the parts are positioned as shown in Figure 1 the vacuum action of the timer cups prevents release of the stops, and when the second stop is released, automatic feeding occurs by means herebelow described. Only a sufficient amount of automatic feeding occurs to project the paper to a position accessible and visible to the user, so that he may thereafter pull out additional paper. This automatic feeding force is provided by the mechanism shown in Figure Zand the' position of this mechanism corresponds to that of the position of the mechanism of Figure 1.

A finger disk 10 is attached to the trunnion 2l of the measuring roll and this disk lies as shown in Figure 3 between the outer` side of one of the plates 3 and vertical wall of the cover Il. The disk has fingers 12 which project through a slot 1l in the front wall of the cover, see Figure 5. This disk is used for turning the feed rolls preliminarily during servicing of the cabinet, to obtain engagement of the paper between the feed rolls. The disk 10 has a pin 13, and connected with this pin is a rod 14 having (see Figure 10) a hook 15 engaging a groove 16 of a sleeve 11 on the pin 13. The opposite end of the rod 14 is connected by spring 15 with a hooked projection 16 of the flange 6.

After the vacuum of the timer cups has been annulled to allow upward movement of the slide and release of the stops by means of the spring 49, the spring 15 acts to move the disk in this instance through an angle of about 90 degrees to the position shown by the dot and dash line C. This action moves the paper i3 from its position in Figure 4 to a visible position below the knife I4, at which it is accessible for grasping and pulling.

As the above automatic feed-out action occurs after release of the timer, the first stop will move from the position shown in Figure l also through an arc of about 90 degrees. y Thereafter when the user pulls on the paper, the first stop continues its rotation in clockwise direction, to again assume the position shown in Figure 1, the pin 52 having during this movement engaged the bottom of the slot 5| and moved the second stop into the path of the first stop so that the parts again finally assume the positions of Figure l.

Retrograde movement of the measuring roll I9 is prevented by a ratchet disk fixed to the trunnion 20 at a point between the end of the measuring roll and the inner side of one of the plates 3. A pawl 8i pivoted at 82 (see Figure 9) to the plate 3, acts by gravity to engage teeth of the disk, some of these teeth being shown in dotted lines in Figure l.

The timer vacuum cups hold the second stop against the action of its spring, and in this instance against upward motion, during which said stop rotates in anti-clockwise direction. At the end of the timing period the cups are automatvically released and the second stop 41 moves upwardly, and as soon as it moves out of the path of the stopping surface of the first stop the spring 15 automatically moves the measuring roll in feed-out direction. The upward movement of the pivoted stop to release position is permitted by the slotted link arrangement, the slot 5| of the link merely riding upwardly on the pin 53 of the first stop. When the measuring roll is automatically moved the pin 53 swings the link 50 toward the right in the gure, and the pin rides downwardly in the slot. When the user pulls on the paper the pin 53 engages the lower end of the slot and as rotation of the measuring roll continues (due to pull on the paper) the mechanism is again brought finally to the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The cover il is provided with a locking mechanism, generally designated by numeral said mechanism having a hook 92 which engages a keeper 9| attached to flange 2 of the back l, in the manner best shown in Figure 2. Any suitable type of lock may be used. It is to be noted v thatr the .coveris so pivoted thatit maybe swung downwardly;y to al position below the; inner section, and, in such-position that if desired a supply-roll maybe supported Within-it preparatory to servicing the cabinet..

What I claim is:

1. A dispensing devicehaving feeding rolls and a stop mechanism which abruptlystops the dispensingaction of said rolls, a roller, a supplyroll resting on the ro1ler, and means so sup-I porting thesupply-roll that it can freely rotate on and vmove toward the roller as supply-roll diameter decreases, said feeding rolls and said roller land'supply-roll being so related that when a. loop of surplus material is formed as the supply-roll overspins dueto abrupt stopping of the feedr rolls by 'the stop mechanism, said. loop will not enter between the feeding rolls.

2. A device forV dispensing ysheet material from which' are adaptedeither to be moved by the material orto move the-materi-aha time-stop mechanism and Vconnectingzmeans: by which the samev controls andis; controlledby said feed: rolls,

`means for vautomatically and rapidly moving said` rolls in .feeding direction on'relea'se of the time-stop mechanism, a supply roll, and a roller Afor. supporting the supply roll at its bottom for free rotation and in such relation to the feed rolls that -when a loop of surplus material is formed as the supply rolloverspins as a result of sudden stopping of said feed rolls either by said stop mechanism when the rolls are being moved by the material or as a result of sudden-stopping of the feed rolls at the' end of their rapid automatic feeding motion said loop of surplus supply material* will be formed; in such manner that it cannot enter between thefeed rolls. i

3. A device-for dispensing sheet material from a supply-roll comprising, a pair of plates, feed rolls `ournalled-l-in andfbetween the plates, a roller having 1 trunnions journalled in the plates and adapted to support the supply-roll while the material is being dispensed from it through the feed rolls, and disks rotatable on said trunnions and adapted' to automaticallycenter the supply roll and yto prevent its axial motion `on said roller. H

4. A device for dispensing sheet,y materialV from a supply-roll-comprising, a pair of plates, feed rolls journalled in and between the plates, a roller having trunnions journalled in the plates and adapted to support the supply-roll while the material is being dispensed from it through the feed rolls, disks rotatable on said trunnions between the ends of the roller and said plates and adapted to automatically center the supply roll and to prevent its axial motion on said roller, and a secondary support for the supply roll adapted to move toward the roller rand about which the supply roll can rotate.

5. A dispensing device having, a measuring roll having a rst stop having a stop surface, a reciprocal slide, guides for the slide aligned on a midline of the slide which extends in direction of its reciprocation, a second stop having a stop surface engageable with the stop surface of the first stop, means pivoting the second stop, a link and first and second pivots connecting it respectively to said slide and said second stop, means pivoted cn said second pivot and operable by means on the rst stop to move the stop surface of the second stop into the path of the stop surface of the first stop during ro- .tationlof the V1'olltimermeansfon the slider and on-one of the guidesof the slide aligned on-said vmidlineand. adapted tube `engagedfand to hold the pivoted stop in j stop position` for a time period, a spring actingto move the second stop and said slide from stoppingwposition, said first and second pivots and stop surfaces being so related 'as to be substantially aligned on said midline when said stop surfacesare engaged, whereby release of the stop surfaces is facilitated and the application of powery by said spring to retract-'said slide` is rendered moreeifective.

6. A dispensing device having a measuring roll, having a first; stop, rdirectlyconnected thereto, a reciprocal slide, guidesr forcthe slide aligned on a midline of the slide which extends in direction of its reciprocation; va pivoted Vsecond stop engageable with thexrststop, a link and first and second pivots-connecting it respectively'to said slide and said second' stop, means pivoted on the second pivot and operable by means onthe rst stop to move lthe second stop into the path of the first stop duringrotation of the vmeasuring roll, timer means ontheslide. and on one of the guides of the slideV adapted to be engaged to prevent release of the stops until the end of a time period, a spring acting on the second stop to move it and said slide from stopping position, saidguides and first-and' secondpivots and the stopping. surfaces of said 'stops being so related as to be substantially aligned on said midline when said stops are engaged, whereby release of ther stops vis facilitated' and the application of power by said second stop to retract said slide is rendered more' effective.

'7. A paper dispensing device having, a measuring roll which is moved by a pull on the paper, a stop connected to the measuring roll and having a stopping shoulder facing outwardly, a second stop-and means pivotingit to swing into the path of the rst stop', said second stop having a stopping shoulder whichfaces inwardly, a timer including aslide havinga part engageable with another stationary part for securing the slide-in a given positionuntil the end of a time period, a link and pivots connecting it respectively to the slide and to the second stop in a manner to move the stop into stopping relation with the first stop during timer-setting action, means for applying-power to move said second stop from' stopping position when said slide is released bysaid timer, thefsaid link pivots and engaged stopping shoulders being disposed to be on a line which extends in direction of reciprocation of the slide, and means operable by said iirst stop for forcibly moving the second stop into the path of the first stop and then releasing the second stop for movement away fromk stopping position when the timer elements separate.

8. A dispensing device having upright plates, a measuring roll journalled in said plates and having a first stop directly connected thereto, a. reciprocable slide comprising a plate flatly slidable against one flat face of one of said upright plates, guides for the slide, aligned on a mid-line of the slide which extends in direction of its reciprocation, a pivoted second stop engageable with the first stop, a link and first and second pivots connecting it respectively to said slide and to said second stop, means pivoted on the second pivot and operable by means on the rst stop to move the second stop into the path of the rst stop during rotation of the measuring roll, timer ineans on the slide and on one Aof the guidesfof the slide adapted tobe engaged to prevent release of the stops until the end of a time period, and a spring acting on the second stop to move it and the slide from stopping position, said guides and first and second pivots and the stopping surfaces of said stops being so related as to be substantially aligned on said midline when said stops are engaged, whereby release of stops is facilitated and application of power by said second stop to retract said slide is rendered more effective.

the diameter of the supply roll decreases, said second roll and roller both being disposed over the measuring roll, the roller being so disposed that the supply roll material leads from it forwardly and downwardly toward the meeting line oi' the first and second rolls, said second roll being so disposed that when the supply roll is supported on the roller the second roll is spaced downwardly from the periphery of the supply roll, whereby when the supply roll overspins as a result of sudden stopping of the measuring roll by its stop mechanism a loop of surplus material is formed over the second roll and between it and said supply roll.

10. A dispensing cabinet for sheet material in roll form which comprises a pair of feed rolls one of which is controlled by a stop mechanism, a roller which is adapted to be engaged by the lower periphery of a supply roll to allow free rotation of the supply roll and means for maintaining a supply roll and roller relation such that the supply roll can move downwardly as its diameter decreases, said feed rolls and roller being so arranged that when spinning of the supply roll occurs after the stop mechanism engages, a loop of roll-feed material will be formed which points away from the meeting line of the feed rolls.

11. A dispensing cabinet for sheet material in roll form having a measuring roll controlled by a stop mechanism to limit the amount of material dispensed, a pinch roll adapted to hold the material in measuring relation with the measuring roll, a roller arranged rearwardly of the pinch roll and upon which the bottom of the supply roll rests, and the top surface of which roller is disposed substantially in the same horizontal plane as the top of the pinch roll. and a shaft adapted to pass through the supply Vroll axially and means guiding it at both ends to move downwardly toward the roller, and the pinch roll being so positioned as to be spaced from the periphery of the supply roll as supported by the roller.

12. A device for dispensing sheet material from a supply-roll comprising, feed rolls, and automatic means for suddenly rapidly rotating the rolls, a roller on which a supply roll is adapted to rest while the material is being dispensed from it by the feed rolls, said roller being adapted to be rotated by frictional action of the supply-roll, a secondary support for the supply roll adapted to move toward the roller and about which the supply-roll can rotate, the diameter of the roller in relation to the initial diameter of the supply-roll being so small that the rate of rotation of the roller is Very much greater than the rate of rotation of the supply-roll, whereby some frictional resistance to supply-roll rotation is obtained during dispensing to reduce over-spinning of the supply-roll.

RUDOLPH G. BIRR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 506,019 Schriver Oct. 3, 1893 1,026,128 Rydquist May 14, 1912 1,360,424 McGaughy Nov. 30, 1920l 1,817,479 Crowson Aug. 4, 1931 1,958,080 Bottker et al. May 8, 1934 2,111,375 Steiner Mar. 15, 1938 2,193,589 Grunwald Mar. 12, 1940 2,193,759 Birr Mar. 12, 1940 2,206,320 Grunwald July 2, 1940 2,242,552 Steiner et al. May 20, 1941 2,267,962 Tishken Dec. 30, 1941 2,294,670 Krueger Sept. 1, 1942 2,298,179 Steiner et al Oct. 6, 1942 2,298,882 Grunwald Oct. 13, 1942 2,311,521 Colburn Feb. 16, 1943 2,408,363 Beckman et al. Oct. 1, 1946 2,417,731 Birr Mar. 18, 1947 

